ESPN Anchorwoman: Hate Speech or Freedom of Religion?
“F— Notre Dame,” “F— Touchdown Jesus,” “F— Jesus.” Those were the words of ESPN anchorwoman Dana Jacobson during her speech at a celebrity roast in Atlantic City, NJ. She admitted to being intoxicated at the event. When pressed on the issue by the Catholic League, President Bill Donahue received an e-mail of apology, which is posted in full on the ESPN website:
“I am sorry. My remarks about Notre Dame were foolish and insensitive. I respect all religions and did not mean anything derogatory by my poorly chosen words. I also deeply regret the embarrassment I’ve caused ESPN and Mike and Mike.
“My actions at the roast were inappropriate and in no way represent who I am. I won’t make excuses for my behavior, but I do hope I can be forgiven for such a poor lack of judgment.”
Yes, her remarks were insensitive. Notre Dame certainly did not deserve to be singled out in this way by a supposedly “unbiased” sports journalist. Donahue is calling for more, though, unsatisfied with the apology.
In his press release posted on the Catholic League website, Donahue is likening her remarks to those of Jimmy “the Greek” Snyder against blacks, for which he was fired from CBS. He also brings up the remarks against Jews made by Mel Gibson. But are Jacobson’s remarks comparable to the others?
Jacobson did not shout, “F— Christians.” She specifically said, “Jesus.” She did not single out a group of people (except maybe the college of Notre Dame) as the object of her words. I might even venture to say these are words Jesus has heard before, and will hear again from someone somewhere in the world. So was her statement, however ill-concieved, hate speech as Donahue claims? Or was she exercising her right to freedom of religion? After all, according to both the laws of the United States and of Christians, she has the ability to choose her god.
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Public figures do owe responsibility to their fans. They are role models for young people, whether they like it or not. At the same time, they deserve the same freedoms in this country granted to every citizen. And again, Jacobson did not say, “f— Christians.” I have told Satan to go to hell. Was that a slur against members of the Satanic Church? The public often expresses outrage against the practice of Scientology in quickly removing any media that presents it in a bad light. Are the demands of Donahue the same? If my freedom to worship Christ is protected, is not Jacobson’s freedom not to do so also protected?
I would love to hear your thoughts on this issue. Where is the line between hate speech and freedom of religion?
Would a better reaction to this story be to pray for a woman who allows herself to become intoxicated to the point she makes bad choices?
Image Source: Wire Image
ESPN, Dana Jacobson, Catholic League, christianity, freedom of religion
May 26th, 2010 at 9:35 pm
“My actions at the roast were inappropriate and in no way represent who I am. I won’t make excuses for my behavior, but I do hope I can be forgiven for such a poor lack of judgment.”